Secrets Behind the Lion Dance. 3p.m. today at the Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Children ages 5 and older are invited.

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Discover the tradition of the Chinese Lion Dance with its martial arts footwork and postures. Lion dancers will include a demonstration of the movements and children will have an opportunity to participate. Free. 646-3934.

Paper Wing Theatre presents Jason Robert Brown's "The Last Five Years." 8p.m. today at Paper Wing Theatre, 320 Hoffman Ave., Monterey. The play explores a five-year relationship between a rising novelist and a struggling actress. One story is told in reverse chronological order the other in chronological order. 905-5684, www.PaperWing.com.

Pacific Grove Middle School presents "The Music Man." 7p.m. today at the Pacific Grove Performing Arts Center, 835 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. More than 30 Pacific Grove students perform this famous Broadway musical. $7 general, $5 for students at the door. Information: Pamela at 641-0340 or school office at 646-6568.

Hand-printed Valentine workshop. 1-3p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Carmel Art Association, Dolores Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Carmel. Instructor: Pamela Takigawa. Materials and instructions to make a card will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring embellishments such as lace, ribbon or photos to add to their card (with the exception of glitter). Free. 624-6176, www.carmelart.org.

· FEB. 11

Independent photographers. 7-9p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at the Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula, 4590 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Experienced and inexperienced photographers welcome to share prints and ideas. 324-4651.

Artist's reception. 1-2:30p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, at Monterey Peninsula College Art Gallery, west side of campus, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. Artist's talk at 1p.m. Exhibition is part of an ongoing visual conversation between three artists who currently live and work in the greater Los Angeles area. 646-3060, www.MPCGallery.com.

BENEFITS

· FEB. 15

Friends of the Monterey Public Library Eighth annual Chocolate & Wine tasting benefit. 7-9p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at the Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Wide variety of local wines. Enjoy an array of chocolate including cakes, candies, petit fours, ice cream and more. All proceeds go to purchase books and other resources for the Library. $25-30. 646-3949, mccombs@monterey.org.

One Billion Rising in Monterey. 4-8p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, at the Monterey Center for Spiritual Living, 400 W. Franklin St., Monterey. One Billion Rising Monterey will join with activists around the world for One Billion Rising, the largest day of action in the history of Valentine's Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. Free. www.onebillionrising.org.

Author Kat Meads. Noon-1p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at CSU Monterey Bay at Inter-Garrison and Sixth Avenue, Seaside. Meads will discuss how she came to write about the Russian Revolution, where the research led her and read from and sign copies of "For You, Madam Lenin." Free. 582-5500, csumb.edu/olli.

· FEB. 15

Book discussion with Helen Rucker. 6:30p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at the Peace Resource Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd., Seaside. Rucker will discuss the "The New Jim Crow," by Michelle Alexander, concerning the mass incarceration of black males in the United States. Free. 899-7322.

Exploring Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park & More. 7-8:30p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at REI, Imjin Parkway and Second Avenue, Marina. Join Susan Alcorn, author of "Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine," for a presentation of her recent backpacking trips with her husband. Free. Register at www.rei.com/marina. A seat will be held for you until the scheduled start time. 883-8048.

"Time Banking: Neighbors Helping Neighbors. 7p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Central and Forest avenues, Pacific Grove. Do you need some help around the house or a ride across town? Christine Lima will discuss how your local time bank can help enhance your life and build your community without the use of cash. Free. 643-0707, denyse@sustainablepg.org,www.sustainablepg.org.

TOURS

& OUTDOORS

· FEB. 10

The 28th Together with Love Run/Walk. Race starts 9a.m. rain or shine Sunday, Feb. 10, at Lovers Point Park, Pacific Grove. Two races, a 10K and 5K, benefitting the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center. The ninth annual 1K Kids' Fun Run begins at 8:15a.m. Rain or shine. Registration: $38 www.mtryrapecrisis.org

Jacks Peak Park tour. 11a.m. the second Saturday of every month at Jacks Peaks Park, Highway 68 to Olmsted Road to Jacks Peak Road, Monterey. Take a right at the kiosk. Meet at bulletin board near restroom. Hike with docents. $5 gate fee. friendsofjackspeakpark@gmail.com.

· ONGOING SATURDAYS

Tours of Casa Serrano Adobe. 2-4p.m. Saturdays at Casa Serrano Adobe, 412 Pacific St., Monterey. Casa Serrano is one of Monterey's oldest and most historic homes, constructed of adobe and redwood in 1843. It is furnished with antiques and local artwork, from the Spanish, Mexican and early American periods. Free. 372-2608, ext. 813

· ONGOING

Tours of Cooper-Molera and Larkin house. Cooper Molera: 10:30a.m. and 12:30p.m.; Larkin house: 2p.m. Sat-Sun. Tickets for must be obtained at Pacific House Museum, south of Fisherman's Wharf on Custom House Plaza, Monterey. $5. 649-7172, mgree@parks.ca.gov.